Brom carried Young's body into the cottage; with Katrina following close behind. He carefully laid Young down on the sofa and then gave Katrina a hug.
"I'm so sorry, Katrina. I know how close you were to him." said Brom.
"He was like my own son. He even said that he was anxious to see his new baby brother or sister." said Katrina, her face still wet with tears.
"I'll go wake Ichabod."
"No, you can't do that!"
"Why not?"
"Brom, he mustn't hear that Young is dead. At least not from his enemy. It's better if I tell him."
"Tell me what?"
Brom and Katrina looked up and saw Ichabod standing on top of the stairs. Brom quickly covered Young's body with a blanket. Ichabod came downstairs and took Katrina's hands.
"Are you all right, darling?" asked Ichabod.
"I'm all right."
"Your face is all red. You've been crying."
"Ichabod, I need to tell you something."
Before Katrina could speak; Ichabod turned his attention towards the sofa and the figure laying under the blanket.
"What's under the blanket?" asked Ichabod.
"It's...It's..."
"It's a body." said Brom, finishing off Katrina's sentence.
"That explains the commotion that I heard. The Horseman does love to perform his deeds during the evening. I just need to have a look at the body and see if he's left anymore clues."
Ichabod lifted the blanket and then jumped back in fear. He was gasping for air; almost as if he couldn't breathe. It didn't take him long to fall to his knees in a broken despair. Katrina knelt next to him.
"I knew this would happen." whispered Ichabod.
"Ichabod, nobody could've known that Young would be killed."
"You don't understand. I had a nightmare that the Headless Horseman came and killed you and Young. Then, he stole our child, before it was even born."
"It's just a coincidence. Let's get you back upstairs. We'll bury Young in the morning, and-"
"Don't you see, Katrina? It's not a coincidence. He's after us and our child. He's already gotten Young, and now he'll come after you."
"You've gone mad." said Brom.
"You would love to think that. You would do anything to get Katrina, wouldn't you?" snapped Ichabod.
"Will you both stop it! Young is dead, and he can't be brought back. Can't we grieve for him without anger?"
Ichabod sighed and hugged Katrina. Brom looked as though he wanted to say; instead, he left the house in a huff.
"I can't lose you, Katrina. I can't lose you or the baby." said Ichabod.
Katrina hushed Ichabod and then lead him to a nearby chair. She sat on the floor, and rested her head in her husband's lap.
"We both lost our son, Ichabod. We'll find a way to continue with life; especially for this child. Feuding with Brom and making up stories, isn't going to make the process any ea-"
"I'm not making this up! The Horseman wants to see you dead, Katrina. Now, you and Mr. Bones are welcome to believe that I've become delusional, but it's simply not true. I love you, darling. I'll protect you, no matter what you and others believe about me."
Ichabod got up from his seat, and went upstairs. He sat on his bed, and buried his head in his hands. He knew that he had no reason to be angry with Katrina, or Brom even. For a moment, he began to believe that maybe they were right, and the murder was coincidental. Wanting to clear his head of all thoughts; he laid down to sleep.
Ichabod was walking through the woods. He came upon The Tree of The Dead, and saw the heads of Master Killian, his wife Beth, their son Thomas, the two victims that Ichabod had examined upon arriving the second time, and Young. Suddenly, he realized that the heads had formed a near-circle around the tree. There was only two small gaps left to complete the full shape. At that second, the heads were engulfed in flames and the Horseman and his steed, came out from inside the tree.
"I must complete the circle!" hissed the Horseman.
The Horseman lifted his sword to cut off Ichabod's head...
Ichabod sprung up in bed, screaming; relieved that his head was still attached. Katrina came rushing into the room; obviously hearing Ichabod screaming.
"Are you all right, Ichabod?" asked Katrina.
"I'm fine. I just had another dream." said Ichabod.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, darling. I'm sure that I'm all right."
Katrina smiled and left the room. Ichabod sighed and laid back down; closing his eyes to fall asleep again.
"The circle..." whispered Ichabod, just before dozing off.
